Alba faces long spell on the sidelines

Barcelona have confirmed defender Jordi Alba has torn his right hamstring after the left-back was substituted early against Sevilla.

Alba was taken off at Camp Nou after just 15 minutes, clutching at his problem area, and the La Liga champions announced the 24-year-old Spaniard would endure a stint on the sidelines.

The club confirmed they would assess the damage done on Sunday before revealing a date for Alba’s return.

Alba was recently on international duty for Spain, scoring in their World Cup qualifier against Finland last week, before returning to club duty on the weekend – only for his presence to be cut short.

Brazilian Adriano replaced him at left-back on Saturday, and could earn himself a chance at a full 90 minutes having only played a full match once this season in Barca’s 7-0 rout of Levante last month.